Do university instructors in South Africa and Kazakhstan have different ideas of how to create meaningful access and support for traditionally underserved student populations? What approaches to effective teaching and learning do we share around the world? What are the common barriers to success? How do we all arrive at solutions? Let’s explore the distinctions and similarities.

We are currently engaged in a qualitative research study to uncover factors that contribute to college success for students who have overcome identifiable barriers as they strive to complete their educational goals. To date, we have interviewed students in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Our data analysis is leading us to construct the "believe-in-you" model: The most significant factor in students' success has been consistently identified as having someone express a strong belief in them at critical times.

As a result of having someone believe in them, regardless of the type of school or geographical location, we have found three constant themes: persistence, self-efficacy and emotional development. Based on these themes, we offer five principles for practice which will be further developed as our research continues.

1. Facilitate a growth mindset for each student.
2. Create an emotionally-supportive environment.
3. Promote realistic self-efficacy beliefs in each student.
4. Develop student grit through alignment of short term and long term goals.
5. Strengthen protective factors to increase student resiliency.

Does your practice or research fit this model? Do you know students who would like to contribute their story to our ongoing research?